First Boot Checklist

Essential tasks after a fresh Ubuntu-based install: fix missing user directories, update packages, install core tools, and create a Timeshift snapshot.

Beginner Verified Working Updated 4 min read Tested on Zorin OS 18.1 Pro (Ubuntu 24.04 Noble base) Hardware Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 2

What This Guide Achieves

GoalStatus
Fix missing user directories (Music, Pictures, etc.)Done
Update system packagesDone
Install essential toolsDone
Set up Timeshift backupDone

The Problem (Windows User Perspective)

After a fresh Windows install, you run Windows Update and you’re mostly done. After a fresh Linux install, there are a few things to check and fix — most importantly, some default user directories may be missing, and you should set up system snapshots before making any changes.

Step 1 — Fix Missing User Directories

Sometimes the Files sidebar may show shortcuts to folders like Music, Pictures, or Videos that don’t actually exist on disk. On GNOME-based desktops (Ubuntu, Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, and similar), clicking a missing shortcut produces:

“Unable to find ‘/home/mohsin/Music’. Please check the spelling and try again.”

Fix — create all standard directories:

mkdir -p ~/Desktop ~/Downloads ~/Templates ~/Public ~/Documents ~/Music ~/Pictures ~/Videos

Then update the XDG config:

xdg-user-dirs-update --force

Note: xdg-user-dirs-update without --force only updates the config file — it won’t create missing folders. Always use --force or create them manually with mkdir.

If directories still don’t appear in the sidebar, try:

rm ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs
xdg-user-dirs-update --force

Then log out and log back in.

Step 2 — Update Everything

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Run this immediately after first boot, then once a week as a habit. It’s the Linux equivalent of Windows Update but faster and non-disruptive.

Step 3 — Set Up Timeshift (System Snapshots)

Timeshift is included on some Ubuntu-based flavors. If it is available on your system, create your first snapshot before making any other changes — this gives you a clean restore point.

sudo timeshift-gtk

See the Timeshift Guide for full setup instructions.

Step 4 — Install Essential Tools

# Build tools (needed for compiling software from source)
sudo apt install build-essential git curl wget -y

# System monitoring
sudo apt install htop -y

# Hardware sensors
sudo apt install lm-sensors -y
sudo sensors-detect  # press Enter for all defaults

Step 5 — Check Display Server

Verify whether you’re running Wayland or X11:

echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

If it says x11, you’re on Xorg. If wayland, you’re on Wayland. See the Display Server Guide for when and why to switch.

Step 6 — Check for Additional Drivers

Ubuntu-based distros usually handle common drivers automatically, but verify:

  1. Open Software & Updates from your app menu
  2. Go to the Additional Drivers tab
  3. Install any recommended proprietary drivers (especially for NVIDIA GPUs)

Optional: Set Hostname

# Check current hostname
hostname

# Set a new one
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname my-thinkpad

Summary Checklist

  • Fix missing user directories (mkdir -p)
  • Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  • Set up Timeshift and create first snapshot
  • Install build-essential, git, curl, htop, lm-sensors
  • Check display server (X11 vs Wayland)
  • Check Additional Drivers in Software & Updates
  • Set hostname (optional)

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